System and method for an improved ejector for a firearm

ABSTRACT

An improved ejector for a firearm comprising a first contact surface that applies a force on a case of a round of ammunition, and a second contact surface or shelf that applies a force in a direction different than the force applied by the first contact surface to delay the ejection of the case, thus increasing the force couple imparted by first contact surface and an extractor of the firearm, resulting in reliable energy transfer from the bolt assembly of the firearm to the case and improved firearm reliability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/067,429, filed Aug. 19, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The ejection of cartridges or cases is a primary concern in the design of single-shot, semi-automatic, and automatic firearms. The ejection phase in the firearm operating cycle is the point in time which a case or cartridge is cleared from the firearm after either being fired, or being removed, or being removed due to a malfunction, or during maintenance, and prior to loading the next cartridge. The action of ejection is often a source of reliability issues in a firearm design. A failure to eject a case from a firearm will prevent loading the next cartridge into the firing chamber and thus cause a malfunction that prevents operation of the firearm.

Accordingly, an objective of this disclosure is to describe a system and method of improving energy transfer to the case during the ejection phase and improving the reliability of ejection of the case from a firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary firearm in an assembled and partially-exploded perspective view.

FIG. 2 shows a partial cut-out perspective view of a firearm with a bolt assembly in a chambered, forward position.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cut-out perspective view of a firearm with a bolt assembly in a fully-retracted, rearward position.

FIG. 4a shows a partial cut-out perspective view of the internals of a firearm with a bolt assembly in a rearward position with an improved ejector according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4b shows a perspective view of an improved ejector for a firearm according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5a shows a partial cut-out perspective view of the internals of a firearm with an improved ejector according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5b shows a partial cut-out perspective view of the internals of a firearm with an improved ejector during ejection according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a partial cut-out perspective view of a firearm with an improved articulating ejector according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7a shows a partial cut-out perspective view of a firearm with an alternate improved articulating ejector according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7b shows a partial cut-out top view of a firearm with an alternate improved articulating ejector according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8a shows a partial cut-out perspective view of a firearm with an alternate improved articulating ejector according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8b shows a partial cut-out perspective view of a firearm with an alternate improved articulating ejector according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8c shows a partial cut-out perspective view of a firearm with an alternate improved articulating ejector according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An improved ejector design to enhance reliability of the action of ejection of a case from a firearm is described in the following paragraphs and in view of the accompanying figures. Among many variations, one possible embodiment comprises a firearm with a barrel, a reciprocating bolt group assembly, an ejector, an extractor, and a receiver.

The firearm including the improved ejector may have a bolt assembly that travels between two positions, a chambered position in which the bolt inserts and holds a cartridge into the firing chamber of the barrel ready for firing, and a fully-retracted position which represents the extreme position of the bolt away from the firing chamber. A bolt assembly or bolt may alternate from the chambered position to the fully-retracted position during firearm operation.

Firearm operation may include the steps of loading a round from an ammunition magazine, which may be accomplished by a bolt assembly transitioning from a fully-retracted position, thereby stripping a cartridge or round of ammunition from a magazine and loading it into the firing chamber, at which point the bolt assembly is in a chambered position. Firing may then occur, or it may not occur, based on operator need or ammunition malfunction. The bolt assembly may then transition to the fully-retracted position, and the cartridge may be extracted from the firing chamber and then ejected from the housing of the firearm through an ejection port. These steps of firearm operation do not have to occur necessarily in this order, and other aspects of firearm operation, such as aiming, loading of a magazine, or disassembly, are not relevant to this disclosure.

In this disclosure the terms forward and rearward may be used, with forward meaning the end or direction of the firearm having the muzzle of the barrel, and rearward meaning the opposite end or direction. During travel from a chambered, forward position to a fully-retracted, rearward position, the bolt assembly may extract a case from the chamber and eject it from the receiver of the firearm under a typical firing cycle. Possible exemplary firearms in which the improved ejector design may be used include the M-16, M-4, AR-15, and AR-10 series of semi-automatic and automatic rifles. Other embodiments may exist for ejection with different firearm designs, for example within a semi-automatic handgun with a reciprocating receiver or slide, and the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered as limiting to any specific style of firearm.

The action of ejection can be accomplished in several ways. Generally, ejection is affected by two forces acting on the case. One force retains the case rim against the bolt face, which is applied by an apparatus typically called an extractor. A second force acts on the case by pushing it away from the bolt face along the axis of bolt travel, which is applied by an apparatus typically called an ejector. Application of this force couple generates a rotational movement of the case, pivoting it away from the axis of bolt travel out a corresponding ejection port in the firearm receiver or housing. Other ways in which the second force may act on the case include pushing the case perpendicularly from the axis of bolt travel or at some other angle from the axis of bolt travel. Other ways of effecting ejection include use of two ejectors that act in conjunction. However, in all these ways the ejectors applying the second force to the case in a single direction at any given time.

Extractors in firearms may be stationary or articulating, and they may be attached to a bolt group or bolt assembly, or some other part of the firearm like a receiver, slide, or frame. If the extractor is attached to the bolt group or bolt assembly, they may start imparting force on the case immediately after the case leaves the chamber. If attached to some component like the frame or receiver, they act on the case when the bolt or bolt group passes the ejector. Regardless of style or design, extractors impart a single force on the case as the bolt travels rearward.

Efficient energy transfer to the case is critical to the action of ejection. If bolt velocity is too low, or if the ejector is articulating and is damaged or mis-aligned, ejection reliability can suffer as insufficient force will be applied to the case and it will not have sufficient energy to clear the receiver or firearm housing during ejection. Another possible cause for insufficient energy transfer is the case falling away or losing contact with the extractor too early in the ejection phase.

One way to improve efficient energy transfer to the case is to add an additional force that acts on the case during the ejection phase of the firing cycle. One possible additional force as described herein retains the case against the extractor by using another, secondary surface, contact point, or shelf on the ejector. The disclosed secondary surface physically contacts or engages the rim of the case and applies a force roughly perpendicular to the centerline of the case. The secondary surface may physically contact or engage the side wall of the case, or it may physically contact or engage both. Thus, as the bolt travels rearward along its axis of travel, and as the case slips away from the extractor, the case is retained in place by the secondary surface. The length of time the case is being acted upon by the two forces imparted by the ejector and extractor is increased which thereby enhances the energy transfer to the case.

Referring to FIG. 1, shown therein is an improved ejector design contained within a firearm 100, shown in an assembled and partially exploded view, that includes at least a barrel 101, and a bolt assembly 102 with travel, with the bolt assembly 102 housed within and traveling within an upper receiver 103. A lower receiver 104 includes an improved ejector 105.

FIG. 2 is partial perspective, cut-away view that shows the internals of a firearm 200 with the bolt assembly 202 in a chambered, forward position. A cartridge, or case 2011 is shown seated within the firing chamber 2010. Firearm 200 is shown in an assembled state, with upper receiver 203 and lower receiver 204 mechanically attached to each other.

FIG. 3 is partial perspective, cut-away view that shows the internals of a firearm 300 with a bolt assembly 302 in a fully-retracted, rearward position. Firearm 300 is shown in an assembled state, with the bolt assembly 302 housed within an upper receiver 303, which is mechanically-attached to a lower receiver 304. No cartridge or case is shown in FIG. 3. A magazine 3012 is shown inserted within lower receiver 304. A conventional ejector 305 is shown attached to lower receiver 304.

Referring to FIG. 4a , a bolt assembly similar to what is disclosed in FIGS. 1-3 may include a bolt face 401 that receives a cartridge or case head. Bolt face 401 may be defined by a counter bore the approximate size of the case head and to a depth sufficient to hold case in place during cycling of the firearm. One of ordinary skill may understand that counter bore in bolt face 401 may accept a standard sized cartridge, by way of example and not limitation, such as cartridges of a caliber of 0.556, 0.223, 9 mm, or 7.62 mm. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 a, bolt face 401 may be positioned such that when the bolt assembly is in a chambered position bolt face 401 sits concentric to the firing chamber and the bottom of the bolt face 401 may be positioned such that the case is retained between it and the firing chamber as is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4a , bolt face 401 may completely surround the case head, but in other embodiments it may only partially surround it.

Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b , in some embodiments, a bolt assembly 402 may include an extractor 403, and a lower receiver 404 may include an improved ejector 405. Improved ejector 405 may feature two contact surfaces. Improved ejector 405 may also be referred to as ejector 405 as well within the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4b , ejector 405 has two contact surfaces. These surfaces make contact with a cartridge or case during the ejection phase of the firing cycle of the firearm. A first contact surface 406, makes contact with the case head of a case. A second contact surface, or shelf 407 serves to hold the case in place during the ejection phase of the firing cycle as explained further herein. Shelf 407 may be in a plane perpendicular to first contact surface 406 in some embodiments. Shelf 407 may also be in a plane not perpendicular to first contact surface 406, but the angle between the planes defined by first contact surface 406 and shelf 407 may be an obtuse angle, or it may be an acute angle. Shelf 407 may be a flat surface, or it may be curved to receive a case or case rim, or it may have another shape suitable to make contact with the case during firearm cycling.

Referring to FIG. 5a , an extractor 503 may be part of a bolt assembly 502 and may have a claw or hook that extends past the bolt face 501. FIG. 5a shows a partial cut-away view of the internals of a firearm during the extraction phase of the firing cycle. The claw or hook may be positioned such that it sits in the groove of the case 5011 that defines the case rim. In this way the case head 5012 is retained between the bolt face 501 and the claw or hook of extractor 503. Extractor 503 may also be stationary or articulating. If articulating it may press or hold case head 5012 against bolt face 501 using spring pressure, a hinge, or some other mechanical means.

Referring again to FIGS. 4a and 4b , improved ejector 405 is part of a firearm. In some embodiments, it may be physically integrated with, or mechanically attached to, bolt assembly 402, lower receiver 404, or another component of the firearm that the bolt moves relative to during the firing cycle. Ejector 405 may be stationery or articulating. Ejector 405 may include a first contact surface 406 that makes physical contact with case head. Bolt face 401, or an accompanying bolt assembly 402, may also have a cut-out or physical geometry related to ejector 405 that allows ejector 405 to pass through or by bolt face 401 to act upon the case head. Thus extractor 403 forces the case against the first contact surface 406 causing a couple of two forces acting on the case at once in different directions. Moreover, the acting lines of these two forces may not be collinear.

Referring again to FIG. 5a , an improved ejector 505 is shown that includes a second contact surface, or shelf 507 positioned to hold the case rim of the case such that shelf 507 contacts or physically engages with the case rim of the case 5011. In alternate embodiments, shelf 507 may be lengthened or widened to separately, or additionally, contact or physically engage the side wall of case 5011. Shelf 507 acts as a guide or restraint to prevent the case 5011 from moving away from extractor 503 and bolt face 501 during operation.

FIG. 5a shows a partial cut-away view of the internals of a firearm during the end of the extraction phase of the firing cycle. During the rearward course of travel of the bolt assembly 502 between a chambered position to a fully-retracted position, first contact surface 506 makes contact with the case head 5012 as the bolt and bolt assembly 502 moves rearward. One of ordinary skill understands that extractor 503 retains the case head 5012 against bolt face 501 during travel of the bolt. When case head 5012 contacts first contact surface 506, first contact surface 506 counteracts the retention of the case by the extractor 503 such as to create a force couple.

Referring to FIG. 5b , the figure shows a partial cut-away view of the internals of an exemplary firearm during the ejection phase of the firing cycle shortly after the point in time shown in FIG. 5a . Case 5011 is in the process of rotating out of contact with extractor 503, after which it will be ejected out of the firearm based on its own inertia. The improved ejector 505 includes a shelf 507 that is roughly in the same plane as wall of the bolt face 501 of the bolt at the moment in time during rearward travel of the bolt assembly 502 when first contact surface 506 contacts the case head 5012. Shelf 507 retains the rim of case 5012 in physical contact with extractor 503. At a point in time during rearward travel of bolt assembly 502, the force imparted by the ejector 505 overcomes the retention force of the extractor 503, and the case 5011 begins ejection from the firearm. Shelf 507 retains case 5012, increasing the time the force couple is imposed on case 5011 created by first contact surface 506 counteracting extractor 503. Thus, more energy is imparted to case 5011 and ejection is improved than if shelf 507 was not present.

Referring to FIG. 6, an improved ejector is an articulating ejector 605 mounted to the receiver of a firearm is shown. The ejector 605 travels in a slot, channel, mating, or cut-out in the bolt assembly 602 between a retracted and extended position during the travel of the bolt such that the ejector 605 will have a first contact surface 606 in the same plane as the wall of a bolt face 601 which is a part of bolt assembly 602. When in the retracted position, first contact surface 606 may be below or rearward of the plane made by the wall of bolt face 601. Ejector 605 may transition to the extended position during rearward travel of bolt assembly 602, at which point bolt face 601 and first contact surface 606 may be in the same plane, or first contact surface 606 may even extend further forward that bolt face 601.

Bolt assembly 602 may have an extractor 603 that may have a claw or hook that extends past bolt face 601. The claw or hook of extractor 603 may be positioned such that it sits in the groove of a case that defines the case rim. In this way the case is retained between the bolt face 601 and the claw or hook of extractor 603. The extractor 603 may also be stationary or articulating. If articulating it may press or hold the case against bolt face 601 using spring pressure, a hinge, or some other mechanical means.

Articulating ejector 605 may have a second contact surface, or shelf 607. Shelf 607 may be in a plane perpendicular to first contact surface 606, but other angles are possible. At a point in time during rearward travel of bolt assembly 602, ejector 605 articulates to begin ejection of the case. The force imparted by the ejector 605, via the first contact surface 606 acting on the case, counters the force applied by extractor 603 on the case. Shelf 607 retains case, increasing the time the force couple is imposed on case that is created by first contact surface 606 counteracting extractor 603. Thus, more energy is imparted to the case and ejection is improved than if shelf 607 was not present.

Referring to FIG. 7a , shown is an exemplary improved ejector is an articulating ejector 705 mounted to the bolt assembly 702 of a firearm. The ejector 705 travels in a channel, slot, or tube in the bolt assembly 702 between a retracted and extended position such that the ejector 705 will have a first contact surface 706 in the same plane as the wall of a bolt face 701 which is a part of bolt assembly 702. First contact surface 706 may be in the same plane as the wall of bolt face 701 when the ejector 705 is in the retracted position. FIG. 7a shows ejector 705 in an extended position.

Referring to FIGS. 7a, 7b , during rearward travel of the bolt assembly 702 during the firing cycle, the ejector 705 transitions from a retracted to an extended position during which a first contact surface 706 will act on a case head 7012 of a case 7011. In the example shown in FIG. 7b , ejector 705 makes said transition via mechanical actuation via a spring 708, but other means are possible. Ejector 705 may include a second contact surface, or shelf 707 positioned to hold the case rim of case 7011 such that shelf 707 is in contact with or engages with the wall or side of the case rim of case 7011. Shelf 707 acts as a guide or restraint to prevent case 7011 from moving away from extractor 703 and bolt face 701 during operation. FIG. 7b shows case 7011 may be of rifle ammunition of 0.556 or 0.223 caliber, but persons of skill in the art will recognize that many possible type or styles of ammunition, including handgun or shotgun ammunition, may be accommodated.

At approximately the same point in time when ejector 705 transitions from retracted to extended position and first contact surface 706 imparts force on case head 7012, shelf 707 engages with the wall or side of the case rim of case 7011. Thus, second contact surface 707 holds case head 7012 against extractor 703 and prevents the case 7011 from moving away from extractor 703. At approximately this point in time, the force imparted by ejector 705, via the first contact surface 706 acting on case head 7012, counteracts the force of applied by extractor 703 on case 7011. Shelf 707 retains case 7011 in place, increasing the time the force couple is imposed on case that is created by first contact surface 706 counteracting extractor 703. Thus, more energy is imparted to the case 7011 and ejection is improved than if shelf 707 was not present.

Referring to FIGS. 8a, 8b , and 8C, an alternate improved articulating ejector is shown rotatably mounted or rotatably coupled to the receiver of a firearm is shown. The ejector 805 resides in a slot, channel, mating, or cut-out in the bolt assembly 802 between a retracted or stowed position, and an extended position during the travel of the bolt such that the ejector 805 will have a first contact surface 806 in the same plane as the wall of a bolt face which is a part of bolt assembly 802.

As shown in FIG. 8a , when ejector 805 is in the retracted or stowed position, bolt assembly 802 is in a chambered, forward position, and first contact surface 806 may be below or rearward of the plane made by the wall of the bolt face of bolt assembly 802. Ejector 805 may be rotatably coupled to a receiver 804 by a pin 8045. Rotation of ejector 805 during firearm operation may be assisted by a spring 8055 under tension in some embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 8b , during firearm operation, ejector 805 may transition to the extended position during rearward travel of bolt assembly 802, at which point the bolt face of the bolt assembly 802 and first contact surface 806 may be in the same plane, or first contact surface 806 may even extend further forward than the bolt face.

Bolt assembly 802 may have an extractor 803 that may have a claw or hook that extends past the bolt face of bolt assembly 802. The claw or hook of extractor 803 may be positioned such that it sits in the groove of a case that defines a case rim of a case 8011. In this way case 8011 is retained between the bolt face of bolt assembly 802 and the claw or hook of extractor 803. Extractor 803 may also be stationary or articulating. If articulating it may press or hold the case using spring pressure, a hinge, or some other mechanical means.

As disclosed in other embodiments herein, for example as shown in FIG. 6, articulating ejector 805 may have a second contact surface, or shelf. The shelf may be in a plane perpendicular to first contact surface 806, but other angles are possible. As shown in FIG. 8b , at a point in time during rearward travel of bolt assembly 802, ejector 805 rotatably articulates about an axis defined by pin 8045 to begin ejection of the case. Rotation of ejector 805 is permitted by a correspondingly shaped slot or cutout in bolt assembly 802. As bolt assembly 802 travels rearward, ejector 805 rotates from the retracted or stowed positon shown in FIG. 8a , into the extended position shown in FIG. 8b . First contact surface 806 then comes into physical contact with the case head of case 8011.

As shown in FIG. 8c , the force imparted by ejector 805, via the first contact surface 806 acting on case 8011, counters the force applied by extractor 803 on the case. The previously described second contact surface or shelf on ejector 805 retains case 8011, increasing the time the force couple is imposed on case 8011 that is created by first contact surface 806 counteracting extractor 803. Thus, more energy is imparted to case 8011 and ejection is improved than if the second contact surface or shelf was not present.

As discussed above and further emphasized here, the disclosed Figures are merely exemplary and should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. Other embodiments of an improved ejector for a firearm are possible. For example, in semi-automatic handguns that use a reciprocating upper receiver or slide, an improved ejector may include a second contact surface along with a first contact surface. During rearward travel of the slide following firing, an extractor may retain the case head of the case and pull it rearward until the case head comes into contact with a first contact surface of an improved ejector. At approximately the same moment in time, a second contact surface of the ejector engages with the case rim, thereby holding it in physical contact with the extractor for a longer amount of time until the case rotates out from under the extractor.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described herein as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings or including in the description herein may be listed in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be required to be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processes may be advantageous.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. Thus, the scope of any invention should be limited only by the following claims, and it is appropriate that the claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. 

I claim:
 1. An ejector for a firearm comprising: a first contact surface capable of engaging a case head of a cartridge; a second contact surface capable of engaging a case rim or side wall of the cartridge; and wherein the cartridge is in physical contact with both the first contact surface and the second contact surface at a point in time during firearm operation.
 2. The ejector of claim 1, wherein the ejector is rigidly connected to a receiver of the firearm.
 3. The ejector of claim 1, wherein the ejector is attached to a bolt assembly of the firearm.
 4. The ejector of claim 1, wherein the ejector is operable between a retracted position and an extended position.
 5. The ejector of claim 4, further comprising a spring to assist the ejector from transitioning from the retracted position to the extended position.
 6. The ejector of claim 4, further comprising a mechanical cam to assist the ejector from transitioning from the retracted position to the extended position.
 7. The ejector of claim 1, wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are oriented in perpendicular planes in relation to one another.
 8. The ejector of claim 1, wherein the second contact surface is shaped to receive the case rim or side wall of the cartridge.
 9. The ejector of claim 1, wherein the second contact surface is capable of engaging the case rim and side wall of the cartridge.
 10. An ejector for a rifle comprising: a first contact surface capable of contacting a case head of a cartridge; a second contact surface capable of contacting a case rim or side wall of the cartridge; and wherein the cartridge is in physical contact with both the first contact surface and the second contact surface at a point in time during cycling of a bolt assembly of the rifle.
 11. The ejector of claim 10, wherein the ejector is rigidly mounted to a lower receiver of the rifle.
 12. The ejector of claim 10, wherein the ejector is attached to the bolt assembly of the rifle.
 13. The ejector of claim 10, wherein the ejector is capable of actuating between a retracted position and an extended position.
 14. The ejector of claim 10, wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are oriented in geometric planes perpendicular to one another.
 15. The ejector of claim 10, wherein the second contact surface is shaped to receive the case rim or side wall of the cartridge.
 16. The ejector of claim 10, wherein the second contact surface is capable of contacting the case rim and side wall of the cartridge.
 17. An ejector for a rifle comprising: a first contact surface operable to engage a case head of a cartridge; a second contact surface operable to engage a case rim or side wall of the cartridge; wherein the cartridge is in physical contact with both the first contact surface and the second contact surface at a point in time when a bolt assembly of the rifle moves from a forward position to a rearward position; wherein the ejector is rotatably connected to a receiver of the rifle; wherein the ejector actuates between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the ejector is in the retracted position when the bolt assembly is in the forward position and the ejector is in the extended position when the bolt assembly is in the rearward position; and wherein the ejector is linked to a spring under tension to assist the ejector from rotating from the retracted position to the extended position. 